Shock twist in Olympic quarantine fiasco as AOC chief exposes SA government

The AOC’s CEO has revealed the cruel change of plans from the SA government to force returning Olympians into extra quarantine.

Australian Olympic Commitee chief executive Matt Carroll has revealed the cruel change of heart from the South Australian government surrounding the extra period of quarantine some returning Olympians will undergo.

SA’s quarantine laws force returning Olympians to undergo an extra period of quarantine even after the initial 14 days when returning from Tokyo.

Carroll explained the timeline of contact between the AOC and the respective state governments and pinpointed the exact moment the SA government changed its plans.

“The national cabinet met on June 28th, and all states including South Australia agreed that Australians should only have to quarantine once when returning from overseas and then go back to their home state,” Carroll said.

“On July 20th I received an email from the South Australian Health, confirming the national cabinet position while indicating the complexity of interstate border restrictions for returning athletes.

AOC chief executive Matt Carroll has revealed the timeline of communication with the SA government. Picture: Josh Woning

“On July 29th an email from the South Australian Health confirmed double quarantine would be imposed. We immediately started rerouting as many of the Olympians on other flights into Darwin and into Brisbane.

“On July 30th we applied for dispensation, on August 9th we were informed the application was rejected and no reasons were provided for that rejection.

“We then went on August 11th to the appeals panel and it was rejected again.”

Carroll was puzzled as to why the SA government wasn’t forthcoming with answers as to why their applications for dispensation were repeatedly knocked back.

“We need to know that so I can explain to the athletes and their families,” Carroll said.

“What we’re saying today, is there a possibility the South Australian government can look to reduce the quarantine period for this fully vaccinated, fully quarantined group of Australians returning after representing our country at the Olympic Games?”

Kyle Chalmers is one of 16 SA Olympians who competed in Tokyo. Picture: Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP

The AOC chief went on to reveal the heartbreaking decision many of the South Australian Olympians had to make due to impending extra quarantine.

“Some have decided not to return to South Australia, they’ve decided to go back to where they were overseas and not see their families,” Carroll said.

“Others are a bit distressed because to home quarantine is actually a burden on the people at home.

“They have to quarantine with you or seek other places to live for that two-week period.

“So it is quite a distressful thing.”

Earlier on Thursday, SA Premier Steven Marshall fired back after the AOC criticised the government for their “cruel and uncaring” decision to force returning Olympians into an extra 14 days of quarantine.

Marshall stressed just how unfortunate the situation was for the athletes, but he said rules were rules and they were in place for a good reason.

“It’s devastating for people who have already done 14 days,” Marshall told reporters on Thursday.

Steven Marshall has no plans to alter the state’s quarantine rules for returning Olympians. (Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe)

“It is a tough decision but we have got to take tough decisions to protect South Australia.

“This is a tough rule but … we’re going to keep it in place in this instance.

“It is very very tough and we feel for these athletes.

“But every person coming in from Sydney at the moment is required to do 14 days of quarantine.”

Marshall’s response comes a day after AOC chief executive Matt Carroll said the SA government’s decision to extend quarantine was punishment for the athletes who represented Australia in Tokyo.

“While other countries are celebrating the return of their athletes, we are subjecting ours to the most cruel and uncaring treatment. They are being punished for proudly representing their country with distinction at the Olympic Games,” Carroll said on Wednesday.

“Not only are our Olympians fully vaccinated, but they have also been living in a highly controlled bubble in Tokyo, taking the upmost precautions – tested daily over many weeks.”

Carroll criticised the SA government for their ‘cruel and uncaring’ decision to enforce an extra 14 days of quarantine for returning Olympians. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Australian Institute of Sport chief medical officer David Hughes was concerned over the toll an extra quarantine would have on the athletes’ physical and mental health.

“To have individuals quarantined for such a lengthy period of time is in my opinion unreasonable and cannot be scientifically justified,” Dr Hughes said.

“It poses a significant risk to the physical and mental wellbeing of the individuals concerned.

“National cabinet took a position that a double quarantine arrangement was unacceptable. Every CovidSafe procedure we have asked the Olympians to undergo, they have complied with.

“Athletes subject to home quarantine will not be permitted a welcome-home hug.

“Either the athlete’s family must move away, the athlete must find a way of isolating from the family or the entire family goes into quarantine.

“That is not an acceptable option for someone who is fully vaccinated and who has already just completed two weeks’ quarantine.”